Pheu Thai MP Candidates Laid Down In Coffin For Good Luck

[webfact]

Pheu Thai MP Candidate Lie down in Coffin for Good Luck

Pheu Thai constituency MP candidates lied down in coffins ahead of the election, believing that it will bring them good luck and will protect them from any violence during the election campaign.

Pheu Thai Nonthaburi MP candidates, Nitad Srinon, Udomdetch Ratanasatien, Walaiporn Archariyaprasit, Montri Tungcharoentavorn, and Chalong Riewrang recently made merit at Takien Temple in Bangkruay Subdistrict in Nonthaburi Province.

All five MP candidates lied down in coffins, believing this will bring them luck in the general election scheduled for July 3.

They also asked for amulets to protect them from any violence that may break out during the election campaign.

Chalong said in an interview that making merit can get rid of ill fortune and provides candidates with moral support.

Many Thais believe that lying down in coffins signify being reborn, which will bring them a turnaround from bad to good fortune.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-02

[OzMick]

Well the first 5 words of the title were hardly news, but the rest gives a pretty clear indication of what sort of ignorant superstitious turkeys we're seeing as candidates. I hope they bought the top-of-the-line Bt50,000 amulets for maximum protection, the cheaper ones don't work anywhere near as well.

[Artisi]

Seems the Democrats missed a great opportunity - they should have nailed the lids down tight while they had the chance.

Amazing Thailand, can you believe people will actually vote for these idiots.

[edwinchester]

Worrying that people who aspire to positions of such power and influence believe in claptrap like this.

[Misterwhisper]

Can't believe that anyone would vote for these people - but they will.

[ginjag]

Worrying that people who aspire to positions of such power and influence believe in claptrap like this.

This is so stupid it's unbelievable, little kids wouldn't do this again can you imagine say the Brits or Germans doing this ???........................Now add this to the Aussie interview with the opposing P.M. and -come on what do you really think ???

I understand the thinking behind this in Thailand, BUT NOT at top Political level please.

[pisico]

Worrying that people who aspire to positions of such power and influence believe in claptrap like this.

This is so stupid it's unbelievable, little kids wouldn't do this again can you imagine say the Brits or Germans doing this ???........................Now add this to the Aussie interview with the opposing P.M. and -come on what do you really think ???

I understand the thinking behind this in Thailand, BUT NOT at top Political level please.

What do you think you will find at top level of politics anywhere in the world?

In USA nowadays ideologues rule, in Greece Socialists who are oblivious of the death of that system, in Africa animism and Briyumba rule,

in Brazil Umbanda, in all of South America Santeria. Here in Thailand even Abhisit wears his amulet.

To apply Western standards to this or any country is a non-sequitur. An exercise in futility.

From the humblest of citizens to the top of the pyramid of power, this is Thailand and there is nothing we can do about it.

Respect and let them be and hope they will evolve into the 21 century... eventually.

:jap:

[neilf]

Well the first 5 words of the title were hardly news, but the rest gives a pretty clear indication of what sort of ignorant superstitious turkeys we're seeing as candidates. I hope they bought the top-of-the-line Bt50,000 amulets for maximum protection, the cheaper ones don't work anywhere near as well.

i like the two words " the candidates lied

[OzMick]

Seems the Democrats missed a great opportunity - they should have nailed the lids down tight while they had the chance.

Amazing Thailand, can you believe people will actually vote for these idiots.

I believe a wooden stake through the heart first is standard practice with bloodsuckers like these.

[DP25]

This is so stupid it's unbelievable, little kids wouldn't do this again can you imagine say the Brits or Germans doing this ???

How about a Russian?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13623938

A Russian man has died after persuading a friend to bury him alive for a night, hoping it would bring him "good luck".

The victim dug a hole in a garden in the eastern city of Blagoveshchensk and climbed into an improvised coffin, with holes for air pipes, taking a mobile phone and a bottle of water with him.

His friend covered the coffin with earth and then left, after the buried man phoned to say he was fine.

The next morning, he returned to find his friend dead, investigators said.

As for this happening at the political level, one superstition doesn't seem more absurd to me than another, and no more ridiculous than what I hear from US politicians. In the US virtually all candidates at least pretend to be highly religious, an openly atheist person would have no chance at being elected in most of the country, and certainly have no chance at becoming president. The first president Bush even said that "I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots."

[edwinchester]

I'd rank both Bush senior and jr up there in the fruitcake stakes.

[themockrat]

Seems the Democrats missed a great opportunity - they should have nailed the lids down tight while they had the chance.

Amazing Thailand, can you believe people will actually vote for these idiots.

Haha, that's so funny. Haha, I'm falling off the chair rolling on the floor, I can't stop laughing! (End of sarcasm)

Maybe you should do some research. Both Chuvit and Abhisit have laid down in coffins before.

[PlanetX]

At the beginning of the Skull and Bones initatiation, everyone has to lay in a coffin as well

Here is a list of influential members of this society

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Skull_and_Bones_members

As you can see, they run American politics

[Buchholz]

Seems the Democrats missed a great opportunity - they should have nailed the lids down tight while they had the chance.

Amazing Thailand, can you believe people will actually vote for these idiots.

Haha, that's so funny. Haha, I'm falling off the chair rolling on the floor

agree, it was clever.

[bungalownights]

responses above make a very strong statement of the shallow cultural understanding by some of the posters on here.

[timekeeper]

responses above make a very strong statement of the shallow cultural understanding by some of the posters on here.

it also illustrates some red members lack of a sense of humour............

[rreddin]

responses above make a very strong statement of the shallow cultural understanding by some of the posters on here.

it also illustrates some red members lack of a sense of humour............

Bungalownights got it right.

[surayu]

Politicians worldwides of every side should take example from this, just improve the safety and good luck by putting the lids on with nails, the population will then be able to enjoy the positive effects as well

[timekeeper]

responses above make a very strong statement of the shallow cultural understanding by some of the posters on here.

it also illustrates some red members lack of a sense of humour............

Bungalownights got it right.

your rresponse proves my point, thank you for your help

[ginjag]

Worrying that people who aspire to positions of such power and influence believe in claptrap like this.

This is so stupid it's unbelievable, little kids wouldn't do this again can you imagine say the Brits or Germans doing this ???........................Now add this to the Aussie interview with the opposing P.M. and -come on what do you really think ???

I understand the thinking behind this in Thailand, BUT NOT at top Political level please.

What do you think you will find at top level of politics anywhere in the world?

In USA nowadays ideologues rule, in Greece Socialists who are oblivious of the death of that system, in Africa animism and Briyumba rule,

in Brazil Umbanda, in all of South America Santeria. Here in Thailand even Abhisit wears his amulet.

To apply Western standards to this or any country is a non-sequitur. An exercise in futility.

From the humblest of citizens to the top of the pyramid of power, this is Thailand and there is nothing we can do about it.

Respect and let them be and hope they will evolve into the 21 century... eventually.

:jap:

Are you after a Nobel prize???.....My meaning being -from way before this coffin business, and the ridiculous Yingluck interview on Aussie t.v. These party people in opposition are doing what most Thais are good at-they call it'' action'' attention seeking, Idid mention the thinking-tradition behind this and do respect it--but you were to quick to try to get a brownie point. I was talking about the tactics here NOT Africa or Brazil-clever get real, and come back down to earth.

Just another thing about your mini lecture Quote "this is Thailand and there is nothing we can do about it" so what's the problem, do you assume people don't know anything?...Your saying let them be-----sure I will indeed.

[dunkin2012]

Worrying that people who aspire to positions of such power and influence believe in claptrap like this.

This is so stupid it's unbelievable, little kids wouldn't do this again can you imagine say the Brits or Germans doing this ???........................Now add this to the Aussie interview with the opposing P.M. and -come on what do you really think ???

I understand the thinking behind this in Thailand, BUT NOT at top Political level please.

they believe this will wash away all jinx? Idiotic thing!!!!!!!!!

l :cheesy::cheesy: very funny!!!!!

they will be Thai M.Ps? Nope!!!! no way!!!!!!!................ superstition?

bullet proof vests and cars are what they should consider..........

p.s. i wont even bother read this article. How did they come up with this idea? anyone??

Edited June 2, 2011 by dunkin2012

[Soutpeel]

Worrying that people who aspire to positions of such power and influence believe in claptrap like this.

This is so stupid it's unbelievable, little kids wouldn't do this again can you imagine say the Brits or Germans doing this

Yes ...certainly if they were members of the left handed bricklayers society... ...they also walk around with one trouser leg rolled up... ....granted they do it behind closed doors...but same same...

As to the remarks about nailing the coffins closed....in full agreement with that sentiment...

[lazygourmet]

Seems the Democrats missed a great opportunity - they should have nailed the lids down tight while they had the chance.

Amazing Thailand, can you believe people will actually vote for these idiots.

Haha, that's so funny. Haha, I'm falling off the chair rolling on the floor

agree, it was clever.

Ditto

[mrtoad]

Seems the Democrats missed a great opportunity - they should have nailed the lids down tight while they had the chance.

Superb :jap:

[Buchholz]

Worrying that people who aspire to positions of such power and influence believe in claptrap like this.

This is so stupid it's unbelievable, little kids wouldn't do this again can you imagine say the Brits or Germans doing this ???........................Now add this to the Aussie interview with the opposing P.M. and -come on what do you really think ???

I understand the thinking behind this in Thailand, BUT NOT at top Political level please.

they believe this will wash away all jinx? Idiotic thing!!!!!!!!!

l :cheesy::cheesy: very funny!!!!!

they will be Thai M.Ps? Nope!!!! no way!!!!!!!................ superstition?

bullet proof vests and cars are what they should consider..........

p.s. i wont even bother read this article. How did they come up with this idea? anyone??

[ginjag]

Worrying that people who aspire to positions of such power and influence believe in claptrap like this.

This is so stupid it's unbelievable, little kids wouldn't do this again can you imagine say the Brits or Germans doing this ???........................Now add this to the Aussie interview with the opposing P.M. and -come on what do you really think ???

I understand the thinking behind this in Thailand, BUT NOT at top Political level please.

they believe this will wash away all jinx? Idiotic thing!!!!!!!!!

l :cheesy::cheesy: very funny!!!!!

they will be Thai M.Ps? Nope!!!! no way!!!!!!!................ superstition?

bullet proof vests and cars are what they should consider..........

p.s. i wont even bother read this article. How did they come up with this idea? anyone??

This is at times done when for instance someone has nearly died, and wants another life-better-and live longer with good luck=======they got in the boxes to do this old way of thinking, but I believe they did a 2 in 1.....to give them more corrupt money in the future if they gain power

[rreddin]

responses above make a very strong statement of the shallow cultural understanding by some of the posters on here.

it also illustrates some red members lack of a sense of humour............

Bungalownights got it right.

your rresponse proves my point, thank you for your help

It does not prove your point - because you did not make one.

[samurai]

Thai Temple Offers the Ultimate Chance at Rebirth

Wat Prommanee, a Buddhist temple, 66 miles northeast of Bangkok, offers believers the chance to lay in a coffin for a few moments, then rise up and feel reborn…

I for one find coffins to be really creepy and I wouldn’t dream of lying down in one if someone paid me all the money in the world, but at Wat Prommanee people actually wait in line and pay a fee for a chance to do just that. It’s one of the strangest ceremonies in the world, but one that has been rising in popularity ever since the temple started practicing it, over six years ago. Nine colorful coffins dominate the main hall of Wat Prommanee Temple, and hundreds of people lie down in them every day, playing dead for about a minute and a half, listening to religious chants, and rise up at command feeling cleansed and relaxed.

Wat Prommanee basically offers a daily resurrection service that many Thais believe washes away bad luck and helps prolong their life. It makes sense that people wish for a second chance in life, especially when confronted with serious issues, but lying down in a decorated coffin hardly seems like a solution. I mean, what if it doesn’t change anything, right? Well, they just go back and do it again. The ceremony apparently relaxes them and gives them positive thoughts, so many people come back to Wat Prommanee Temple for the chance to be reborn several times over a few years. All they have to do is pay a small fee.

...

read more:

http://www.odditycentral.com/events/thai-temple-offers-the-ultimate-chance-at-rebirth.html

[samurai]

responses above make a very strong statement of the shallow cultural understanding by some of the posters on here.

it also illustrates some red members lack of a sense of humour............

Bungalownights got it right.

Indeed.

[GentlemanJim]

It has to be a massive PR stunt to make sure that the 'less educated masses' who have the power of the vote, connect with the MP's, therefore thinking they are good traditional guys and will vote for them. The objective is not so dissimilar to US Presidents pandering to Christian Fundamentalists in the Bible belt of Middle America prior to an election.

On the other hand it would be amusing to consider, if elected and in a ministerial position, these guys might lie in coffins prior to a major summit or ASEAN gathering.